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Replacing entire AC system
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:36 am
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:36 am
Ran the AC for first time in a few months yesterday and it took hours to get from 76 to 72. My 3 ton unit has been leaking freon for a while now. It's 12 years old and house is 1600 sqft. Looking at maybe upgrading to a 3.5 or 4 ton unit because even after refilling the freon, the unit just doesn't really cool the house down like it should.
How much am I looking at to replace everything? Any recommendations in the Baton Rouge area?
How much am I looking at to replace everything? Any recommendations in the Baton Rouge area?
17
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:38 am to PhiTiger1764
probably around 7-9k for a above avg but not great system. 10-12 for a good system
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:38 am to PhiTiger1764
Probably between $4500 and $5500, depending on the installer.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:39 am to PhiTiger1764
quote:
1600 sqft.
quote:
3.5 or 4 ton unit
you don't need that big of a unit
quote:
How much am I looking at to replace everything?
about $7k for everything
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:40 am to Salmon
The OT is full of blue collar job quotes and none ever seem to match. 
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:40 am to PhiTiger1764
Obligatory tree fiddy. 
I haven't had to replace mine (yet) but my mom did a couple of years ago and I believe it cost her around $5000. Sorry, no specifics on what brand she went with and what size. Just wanted to let you know they're fairly expensive.
I haven't had to replace mine (yet) but my mom did a couple of years ago and I believe it cost her around $5000. Sorry, no specifics on what brand she went with and what size. Just wanted to let you know they're fairly expensive.
This post was edited on 2/2/16 at 7:41 am
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:41 am to roadGator
well I replaced my 4 ton 2 years ago and that is what it cost, so
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:41 am to jdd48
Just get the leak fixed and see if that makes it perform better. Getting a system too large for the house will cause it to not run long enough. You need to AC to run for a certain amount of time to get the humidity out of the air.
AC systems are sized by the square footage. I am sure there is a online calculator somewhere. Plug in your square footage and see what size AC system your house should have.
AC systems are sized by the square footage. I am sure there is a online calculator somewhere. Plug in your square footage and see what size AC system your house should have.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:41 am to PhiTiger1764
quote:
4 ton unit
cost me $5k just last year.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:42 am to PhiTiger1764
At 12 years old? I'd just drop a new compressor unit outside for 1,200. Then if you still feel you need some additional ac, add a smaller unit or do a nice little wall unit. 1,600 feet isn't that much.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:43 am to PhiTiger1764
How long do you plan to live in the house?
If more than a couple more years invest in the best SEER rating you can afford.
You'll recoup the benefits in lower utility costs and being more comfortable over that time frame.
If more than a couple more years invest in the best SEER rating you can afford.
You'll recoup the benefits in lower utility costs and being more comfortable over that time frame.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:44 am to PhiTiger1764
Try RamAir.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:44 am to PhiTiger1764
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:44 am to soccerfüt
Found the chart for square footage.. this is just a rough estimate as sky lights, windows, insulation can make a difference
I have a 2500 square foot home with a 4 ton system and it seems to work adequately.
I have a 2500 square foot home with a 4 ton system and it seems to work adequately.
This post was edited on 2/2/16 at 7:48 am
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:46 am to PhiTiger1764
quote:Probably a dumb idea. Tonnage shouldn't be based only on square footage, but that is a lot of tonnage for such a small area. Oversized is just as bad as undersized.
1600 sqft. Looking at maybe upgrading to a 3.5 or 4 ton unit
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:46 am to soccerfüt
quote:
If more than a couple more years invest in the best SEER rating you can afford.
Yes and no.
12-15 is the sweet spot, the higher you go the more efficient but it's the law of diminishing return as pay so much more.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:47 am to jdd48
quote:
9k for a above avg but not great system. 10-12 for a good system
Yikes
quote:
$4500 and $5500, depending on the installer.
Manageable. Though it kills me that I'd be throwing this into a home I likely won't be living in 5 years from now. Starter home that I've been in for 3 years.. I guess the new system could help resale though..
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:47 am to PhiTiger1764
quote:
Any recommendations in the Baton Rouge area?
We have used Marnix for years.
Chip mentioned that because our old units are ran off R-22 (which is being phased out), he would also have to clean all the lines before installing the new units. Think that will add a few hundred dollars on top of the cost of replacing and installing.
Might be something to think about if you're current system uses R-22.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:49 am to PhiTiger1764
we replaced our old unit with a 4 ton more efficient unit in the spring. last summer our electric bill was more than $100 lower.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 7:52 am to PearlJam
quote:
Probably a dumb idea. Tonnage shouldn't be based only on square footage, but that is a lot of tonnage for such a small area. Oversized is just as bad as undersized.
Even with the rough guides, I'd still say it depends. I had a 4 ton R22 unit for my house, which is about 1900 square feet. It just wasn't keeping up worth a damn in the summer, even with a replaced evap coil and full freon charge. I have 11 large windows facing the west side of the house (with blinds and solar screens), and I could not get the house below ~78 between noon and almost 10 at night during the summer. We ended up going to a 5 ton unit on the recommendation of an HVAC engineer, and things are back to normal in the house in the summer now. The electricity bill went down by about $60/month as well.
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